U.S. patent application number 16/583492 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-01 for vehicle front end tie down assemblies.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark BEILMAN, Scott STINSON.
Application Number | 20210094460 16/583492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004383623 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-01 |
![](/patent/app/20210094460/US20210094460A1-20210401-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210094460/US20210094460A1-20210401-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210094460/US20210094460A1-20210401-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210094460/US20210094460A1-20210401-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210094460/US20210094460A1-20210401-D00004.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20210094460 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEILMAN; Mark ; et
al. |
April 1, 2021 |
VEHICLE FRONT END TIE DOWN ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
This disclosure is directed to vehicle tie down assemblies for
securing cargo and/or accessories at vehicle front ends. The tie
down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without
obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary
vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that
establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie
down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt
assemblies for mounting accessories.
Inventors: |
BEILMAN; Mark; (South Lyon,
MI) ; STINSON; Scott; (Livonia, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004383623 |
Appl. No.: |
16/583492 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/004 20130101;
B62D 25/18 20130101; B60R 2011/0066 20130101; B60R 11/00 20130101;
B60P 7/0807 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60P 7/08 20060101
B60P007/08; B60R 11/00 20060101 B60R011/00; B62D 25/18 20060101
B62D025/18 |
Claims
1. A vehicle tie down assembly, comprising: a base plate; an
overmold received over the base plate; and a cover received over
the overmold, wherein, together, the base plate, the overmold, and
the cover establish a pass-through that is sized to accommodate a
tie down.
2. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
base plate is a metallic structure and the overmold and the cover
are plastic structures.
3. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein,
together, the base plate, the overmold, and the cover establish a
hole that is configured for receiving a bolt assembly.
4. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
base plate includes a first flange, a second flange, and a third
flange, and wherein each of the first flange, the second flange,
and the third flange receives a fastener.
5. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
overmold includes a locator pin.
6. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
overmold includes a plurality of tabs that protrude transversely
from the overmold.
7. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
overmold includes a first hollowed section sized to receive the
base plate, and the cover includes a second hollowed section sized
to receive the overmold.
8. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the
cover includes a flange that protrudes transversely from a lower
section of a base portion of the cover, a nose portion of the
cover, or both.
9. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein
each of the base plate, the overmold, and the cover includes a base
portion and a nose portion that extends away from the base
portion.
10. The vehicle tie down assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein
the pass-through is formed through the base portions, and the nose
portions are curved to match a contour of a vehicle fender.
11. A vehicle, comprising: a fender including an inner shelf; a tie
down assembly mounted to the inner shelf, wherein the tie down
assembly includes a base portion and a nose portion; a pass-through
formed through the base portion; and a bolt assembly received
within a hole formed through the base portion.
12. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein the inner shelf is
supported by a fender support bracket.
13. The vehicle as recited in claim 12, comprising a fender
stiffener extending between the inner shelf and the fender support
bracket.
14. The vehicle as recited in claim 13, wherein the tie down
assembly is mounted to each of the inner shelf, the fender support
bracket, and the fender stiffener.
15. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein the tie down
assembly includes a first flange that extends transversely from the
nose portion, a second flange that extends transversely from the
base portion, and a third flange that extends transversely from the
base portion.
16. The vehicle as recited in claim 15, wherein the first flange
includes a first opening configured to receive a first fastener,
the second flange includes a second opening configured to receive a
second fastener, and the third flange includes a third opening
configured to receive a third fastener.
17. The vehicle as recited in claim 16, wherein the first fastener
extends through a tab of the inner shelf and then through a fender
stiffener, the second fastener extends through the fender stiffener
and a fender support bracket, and the third fastener extends
through the inner shelf and the fender support bracket.
18. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein the base portion of
the tie down assembly includes a locator pin received within a
locating hole formed in the inner shelf.
19. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein the bolt assembly
is removable from the hole and includes a bolt and a barrel
nut.
20. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, comprising: a second fender
having a second inner shelf; and a second tie down assembly mounted
to the second inner shelf, wherein the tie down assembly and the
second tie down assembly are mounted at opposite corners of a front
end section of the vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to tie down assemblies for mounting
accessories and/or cargo relative to vehicle front ends.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicle users may desire to mount and/or transport various
types of cargo and accessories using their respective vehicles.
Numerous accessory devices (e.g., tie-downs, roof racks, etc.) are
commonly employed for transporting the cargo.
SUMMARY
[0003] A vehicle tie down assembly according to an exemplary aspect
of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a base
plate, an overmold received over the base plate, and a cover
received over the overmold. Together, the base plate, the overmold,
and the cover establish a pass-through that is sized to accommodate
a tie down.
[0004] In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assembly, the base plate is a metallic structure
and the overmold and the cover are plastic structures.
[0005] In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the
foregoing vehicle tie down assemblies, together, the base plate,
the overmold, and the cover establish a hole that is configured for
receiving a bolt assembly.
[0006] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the base plate includes a first
flange, a second flange, and a third flange. Each of the first
flange, the second flange, and the third flange receives a
fastener.
[0007] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the overmold includes a locator
pin.
[0008] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the overmold includes a plurality of
tabs that protrude transversely from the overmold.
[0009] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the overmold includes a first hollowed
section sized to receive the base plate, and the cover includes a
second hollowed section sized to receive the overmold.
[0010] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the cover includes a flange that
protrudes transversely from a lower section of a base portion of
the cover, a nose portion of the cover, or both.
[0011] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, each of the base plate, the overmold,
and the cover includes a base portion and a nose portion that
extends away from the base portion.
[0012] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicle tie down assemblies, the pass-through is formed through the
base portions, and the nose portions are curved to match a contour
of a vehicle fender.
[0013] A vehicle according to another exemplary aspect of the
present disclosure includes, among other things, a fender including
an inner shelf and a tie down assembly mounted to the inner shelf.
The tie down assembly includes a base portion and a nose portion. A
pass-through is formed through the base portion, and a bolt
assembly is received within a hole formed through the base
portion.
[0014] In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing
vehicle, the inner shelf is supported by a fender support
bracket.
[0015] In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the
foregoing vehicles, a fender stiffener extends between the inner
shelf and the fender support bracket.
[0016] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the tie down assembly is mounted to each of the inner
shelf, the fender support bracket, and the fender stiffener.
[0017] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the tie down assembly includes a first flange that
extends transversely from the nose portion, a second flange that
extends transversely from the base portion, and a third flange that
extends transversely from the base portion.
[0018] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the first flange includes a first opening configured to
receive a first fastener, the second flange includes a second
opening configured to receive a second fastener, and the third
flange includes a third opening configured to receive a third
fastener.
[0019] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the first fastener extends through a tab of the inner
shelf and then through a fender stiffener, the second fastener
extends through the fender stiffener and a fender support bracket,
and the third fastener extends through the inner shelf and the
fender support bracket.
[0020] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the base portion of the tie down assembly includes a
locator pin received within a locating hole formed in the inner
shelf.
[0021] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the bolt assembly is removable from the hole and includes
a bolt and a barrel nut.
[0022] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
vehicles, the vehicle includes a second fender having a second
inner shelf and a second tie down assembly mounted to the second
inner shelf. The tie down assembly and the second tie down assembly
are mounted at opposite corners of a front end section of the
vehicle.
[0023] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding
paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings,
including any of their various aspects or respective individual
features, may be taken independently or in any combination.
Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable
to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
[0024] The various features and advantages of this disclosure will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle equipped
with a pair of tie down assemblies.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an interior side view of a tie down assembly
mounted to the vehicle of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through section 3-3 of FIG.
2.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary tie down assembly.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tie down assembly of FIG.
4.
[0030] FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically illustrate exemplary uses of
vehicle front end tie down assemblies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] This disclosure details vehicle tie down assemblies for
securing cargo and/or accessories at the front ends of vehicles.
The tie down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without
obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary
vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that
establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie
down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt
assemblies for mounting accessories. These and other features of
this disclosure are described in greater detail below.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates select portions of a vehicle 10. The
vehicle 10 may be a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a crossover, a
car, a van, or any other type of vehicle. The vehicle 10 could also
be a conventional motor vehicle, a battery powered hybrid or
electric vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless
vehicle).
[0033] Although a specific component relationship is illustrated in
the figures of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended
to limit this disclosure. The placement and orientation of the
various components of the vehicle 10 are shown schematically and
could vary within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the
various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to
scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to
emphasize certain details of a particular component.
[0034] The vehicle 10 includes a hood 12 that is movably mounted
between left and right side fenders 14 at a front end portion 16 of
the vehicle 10. The hood 12 may be opened to access an inner
compartment (e.g., an engine compartment) of the vehicle 10.
[0035] One or more tie down assemblies 18 may be provided at the
front end portion 16 of the vehicle 10. Each tie down assembly 18,
which may also be referred to as tie down hook assemblies, may
function both as a styling element of the vehicle 10 and as a
securement point for securing cargo and/or accessories relative to
the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, one tie down assembly 18 is
mounted near each front corner 20 of the front end portion 16. The
tie down assemblies 18 may be mounted within a cut-line 22 formed
between the hood 12 and fenders 14, for example.
[0036] FIG. 2, with continued reference to FIG. 1, illustrates a
mounted position of one of the tie down assemblies 18 of the
vehicle 10. Although only one tie down assembly 18 is shown in FIG.
2, additional tie down assemblies could be mounted to the inner
structure of the vehicle 10 in a similar manner to that shown in
FIG. 2.
[0037] The exemplary tie down assembly 18 may be secured relative
to an inner shelf 24 of an inner portion 26 of one of the fenders
14. The inner shelf 24 is a fixed part of the vehicle 10 that is
accessible upon opening the hood 12. The inner shelf 24 may be
supported by a fender support bracket 28, and a fender stiffener 30
may be at least partially positioned between the inner shelf 24 and
the fender support bracket 28. The fender stiffener 30 helps to
maintain the shape of the fender 14.
[0038] The tie down assembly 18 is secured to the vehicle structure
such that the hood 12 may close without obstruction. The tie down
assembly 18 may include a base portion 25 and a nose portion 35
that extends from the base portion 25. The nose portion 35 may be
at least partially curved to follow a contour of the fender 14. The
nose portion 35 may terminate just prior to a grille assembly 15 of
the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 1), and the base portion 25 may extend any
distance from the nose portion 35 in a direction toward a
windshield of the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 1).
[0039] The tie down assembly 18 may include multiple flanges 32A,
32B, and 32C that include openings for receiving fasteners 34A,
34B, and 34C, respectively, for securement to the inner structure
of the vehicle 10. The flanges 32A, 34B, and 34C are arranged and
configured to avoid obstructing the opening and closing of the hood
12.
[0040] In an embodiment, the fastener 34A is received through the
flange 32A and then extends through a tab 42 of the fender 14 and
through the fender stiffener 30, the fastener 34B extends through
the flange 32B and then through each of the fender stiffener 30 and
the fender support bracket 28, and the fastener 34C extends through
the flange 32C, then through the inner shelf 24, and then into the
fender support bracket 28 in order to secure the tie down assembly
18 to the vehicle structure. The fasteners 34A, 34B, and 34C may be
studs, bolts, or any other fasteners or combinations of
fasteners.
[0041] The tie down assembly 18 may additionally include a locator
pin 36 for locating the base portion 25 of the tie down assembly 18
relative to the inner shelf 24 of the inner portion 26 of the
fender 14. The locator pin 36 may be received within a locating
hole 38 that is formed through each of the inner shelf 24, the
fender stiffener 30, and the fender support bracket 28. The locator
pin 36 locates the base portion 25 of the tie down assembly 18
relative to the fender 14 in each of the forward, backward, left,
and right directions and may therefore be considered a four-way
locator pin.
[0042] In another embodiment, the fastener 34A may act as an
additional locator for locating the nose portion 35 of the tie down
assembly 18 relative to the inner shelf 24. The fastener 34A may
be, for example, a locating stud that is received within a locating
slot 40 that is formed through the tab 42 of the fender 14 and a
distal portion 44 of the fender stiffener 30. The fastener 34A may
locate the nose portion 35 relative to the fender 14 in each of the
left and right directions and is therefore considered a two-way
locator.
[0043] The base portion 25 of the tie down assembly 18 may include
a pass-through 46. The pass-through 46 may be elongated to enable
the securement of lines, straps, ratchets, hooks, and other tie
down structures. In an embodiment, the pass-through 46 is an
enclosed, elongated opening defined within the base portion 25 of
the tie down assembly 18.
[0044] The pass-through 46 may be sized to accommodate tie down
structures of various sizes. However, the pass-through 46 is
generally not large enough to accommodate a user's fingers or
larger tie down structures in order to avoid imparting relatively
large loads to the hood 12 and/or fender 14.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the tie down assembly 18 may
additionally include one or more bolt assemblies 48 for mounting
accessories (e.g., flags, lights, cameras, antennas, etc.) relative
to the vehicle 10. The bolt assemblies 48 may be accommodated
within holes 50 formed through the base portion 25. In an
embodiment, the tie down assembly 18 includes two bolt assemblies
48, with one bolt assembly 48 being located adjacent to each
opposing end 52 of the pass-through 46.
[0046] Each bolt assembly 48 may include a bolt 54 and a barrel nut
56. The barrel nut 56 receives the bolt 54 to secure the bolt 54
within the hole 50. The barrel nut 56 may be received within the
hole 50 so that the bolt 54 does not protrude outside of the hole
50 over the hood 12. The bolt assemblies 48 therefore do not
interfere with the opening/closing of the hood 12. The bolt 54 and
the barrel nut 56 may be removed from the base portion 25 to
provide pass-through access to the hole 50, may be removed and
replaced with another bolt or holding device for securing an
accessory device, or may be removed and then be reinserted into the
hole 50 for securing an accessory device.
[0047] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate additional design details of the
exemplary tie down assembly 18 described above. The tie down
assembly 18 may include a base plate 58, an overmold 60, and a
cover 62. Together, the base plate 58, the overmold 60, and the
cover 62 establish the tie down assembly 18.
[0048] The base plate 58 may be stamped or otherwise constructed
out of a metallic material. In an embodiment, the base plate 58 is
made of steel. However, other materials and manufacturing
techniques may be employed to manufacture the base plate 58.
[0049] The base plate 58 may include a base portion 64A and a nose
portion 66A. In an embodiment, the flange 32A extends transversely
from the nose portion 66A, and the flanges 32B and 32C extend
transversely from the base portion 64A. However, other
configuration are also contemplated within the scope of this
disclosure. The fasteners 34A, 34B, and 34C may be either press fit
or welded within openings 68 formed through each of the flanges
32A, 32B, and 32C.
[0050] The base portion 64A of the base plate 58 may include a
pass-through 70A. The pass-through 70A may be an enclosed,
elongated opening defined within the base portion 64A of the base
plate 58. One or more holes 80A may be formed through the base
portion 64A. In an embodiment, one hole 80A is disposed adjacent to
each opposing end of the pass-through 70A.
[0051] The overmold 60 may be molded or otherwise constructed out
of a plastic material. However, other materials and manufacturing
techniques may be employed to manufacture the overmold 60.
[0052] The overmold 60 may be received over the base plate 58. The
overmold 60 may include a hollowed interior 65 that is sized to
accommodate the base plate 58. In an embodiment, the overmold 60 is
attached to the base plate 58. In another embodiment, the overmold
60 covers a majority of the surface area of the base plate 58 once
received over the base plate 58. However, the flanges 32A, 32B, and
32C are not covered by the overmold 60 (i.e., the flanges protrude
outside of the overmold 60).
[0053] The overmold 60 may include a base portion 64B and a nose
portion 66B. In an embodiment, the locator pin 36 protrudes from an
undersurface 82 of the base portion 64B. In another embodiment, the
locator pin 36 protrudes a tab 84. One or more tabs 84 may extend
transversely from the base portion 64B, the nose portion 66B, or
both.
[0054] The base portion 64B of the overmold 60 may include a
pass-through 70B. The pass-through 70B may be an enclosed,
elongated opening defined within the base portion 64B of the
overmold 60. One or more holes 80B may be formed through the base
portion 64B. In an embodiment, one hole 80B is disposed adjacent to
each opposing end of the pass-through 70B. Once the overmold 60 is
received over the base plate 58, the pass-through 70B is
substantially aligned with the pass-through 70A and the holes 80B
are substantially aligned with the holes 80A.
[0055] The cover 62 may be molded or otherwise constructed out of a
plastic material. However, other materials and manufacturing
techniques may be employed to manufacture the overmold cover.
[0056] The cover 62 may be received over the overmold 60 (which, in
some embodiments, has already been received over the base plate
58). The cover 62 may include a hollowed interior 67 that is sized
to accommodate the overmold 60. In an embodiment, the cover 62 is
welded or bonded to the overmold 60.
[0057] In an embodiment, the cover 62 covers a majority of the
surface area of the overmold 60 and the base plate 58 once received
over the overmold 60. However, at least the locator pin 36 of the
overmold 60 and the flanges 32A, 32B, and 32C of the base plate 58
are not covered by the cover 62 when the parts of the tie down
assembly 18 are all assembled together (see, e.g., FIG. 4).
[0058] The cover 62 may include a base portion 64C and a nose
portion 66C. In an embodiment, a flange 86 extends transversely
from a lower section of one or both of the base portion 64C and the
nose portion 66C. The flange 86 may abut against the tabs 84 of the
overmold 60 to limit the insertion distance of the cover 62 as it
is received over the overmold 60.
[0059] The base portion 64C of the cover 62 may include a
pass-through 70C. The pass-through 70C may be an enclosed,
elongated opening defined within the base portion 64C of the cover
62. One or more holes 80C may be formed through the base portion
64C. In an embodiment, one hole 80C is disposed adjacent to each
opposing end of the pass-through 70C. Once the cover 62 is received
over the overmold 60, the pass-through 70C is substantially aligned
with the pass-throughs 70A, 70B and the holes 80C are substantially
aligned with the holes 80A, 80B. The pass-throughs 70A, 70B, 70C
thereby establish the pass-through 46 of the tie down assembly 18,
and the holes 80A, 80B, and 80C thereby establish the holes 50 of
the tie down assembly 18. Once the base plate 58, the overmold 60,
and the cover 62 are assembled together in the manner shown in FIG.
4, the bolt assemblies 48 may be positioned within the holes
50.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the tie down assemblies 18
described above may be used to secure one or more cargo items 88
atop a roof 99 of the vehicle 10 and/or to secure one or more
accessories 90 to the front end portion 16 of the vehicle 10. The
cargo item(s) 88 could be any cargo (e.g., long stock (e.g.,
lumber), boats, kayaks, lawn tools, etc.) that the owner of the
vehicle 10 desires to haul atop the roof 99. The accessories 90
could by any accessories (flags, lights, cameras, antennas, etc.)
that the owner of the vehicle 10 desires to secure to the front end
portion 16 of the vehicle 10.
[0061] Referring first to FIG. 6A, a cargo item 88 is shown secured
relative to the roof 99 of the vehicle 10 using a set of two
tie-down assemblies 18. A tie down 92 (e.g., a strap) may be
wrapped around or otherwise secured near an end of the cargo item
88 and then attached to each of the tie down assemblies 18 to
secure the cargo item 88 in place over top of the front end portion
16. In an embodiment, the tie down 92 is passed through the
pass-throughs 46 of the tie down assemblies 18.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 6B, an accessory 90 (here, a flag) is
shown secured relative to the front end portion 16 of the vehicle
using a tie down assembly 18. The accessory 90 may be secured to
the tie down assembly 18 by using one or more of the bolt
assemblies 48, for example.
[0063] The tie down assemblies of this disclosure provide tie down
points for securing roof loads and mounting locations for securing
numerous accessories while also providing a unique styling element
to the vehicle. The tie down assemblies therefore improve vehicle
usability and increase the users' ability to accessorize their
vehicles.
[0064] Although the different non-limiting embodiments are
illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments
of this disclosure are not limited to those particular
combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or
features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination
with features or components from any of the other non-limiting
embodiments.
[0065] It should be understood that like reference numerals
identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several
drawings. It should be understood that although a particular
component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these
exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from
the teachings of this disclosure.
[0066] The foregoing description shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary
skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could
come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the
following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and
content of this disclosure.
* * * * *